Organ Donation and Donor Behavior, Essay Example

Organ procurement requires an examination of the potential donor pool and to determine which subjects may be a match for those in need of specific organs. In addition, this process requires an understanding of the regulations regarding organ donation and who might be eligible, based upon waiting lists and other needs. There are different perspectives and regulations regarding organ procurement in different countries. For example, the United Kingdom has its own transplant database which considers optimal matching of organs to patients, along with governance regarding these policies using advisory committees and the allocation of organs to the selected patients (Wakefield et.al, 2010). In the United States, a database also exists, and there is an ever-increasing need to recognize the value of organ donation and its impact on those in need of life-saving transplants that will positively influence these patients and their health. Organ procurement requires an ethically responsible and compassionate approach in order to effectively meet the needs of individual patients and family members.

End of life decision-making for family members is a very difficult task that requires effective communication and compassion by care providers in order to make ethically responsible and appropriate decisions. Nurses must play a critical role in this process and provide a means of recognizing how to address family-based concerns and quality of life for patients (Ertin, Harmanci, Mahmutoglu, & Basagaoglu, 2010). This practice will demonstrate the importance of discussions regarding end of life care and other issues that are likely to emerge during this state, and it will provide nurses with a means of sharing their knowledge with families under difficult and stressful conditions (Ertin et.al, 2010). It is expected that this process will enable nurses to grow and thrive in this role and to improve their status and expertise as primary caregivers in a manner that promotes the utmost ethical responsibility and focus on wellbeing (Ertin e.tal, 2010)>

References

Ertin, H., Harmanci, A. K., Mahmutoglu, F. S., & Basagaoglu, I. (2010). Nurse-focused ethical solutions to problems in organ transplantation. Nursing Ethics, 17(6), 705-714. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0969733010378933

Wakefield, C. E., Watts, K. J., Homewood, J., Meiser, B., & Siminoff, L. A. (2010). Attitudes toward organ donation and donor behavior: A review of the international literature. Progress in Transplantation, 20(4), 380-391.